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Definition of inference noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

inference

noun
 
/ˈɪnfərəns/
 
/ˈɪnfərəns/
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  1. [countable] something that you can find out indirectly from what you already know synonym deduction
    • to draw/make inferences from the data
    • The clear inference is that the universe is expanding.
    Collocations Scientific researchScientific researchTheory
    • formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis
    • build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model
    • develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework
    • advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that…
    • explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis
    • make a prediction/​an inference
    • base a prediction/​your calculations on something
    • investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model
    Experiment
    • design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test
    • do research/​an experiment/​an analysis
    • make observations/​measurements/​calculations
    • carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials
    • run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials
    • repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis
    • replicate a study/​the results/​the findings
    • observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour
    • fund/​support the research/​project/​study
    • seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research
    Results
    • collect/​gather/​extract data/​information
    • yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results
    • analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen
    • consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings
    • fit the data/​model
    • confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings
    • prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem
    • draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions
    • read/​review the records/​literature
    • describe/​report an experiment/​a study
    • present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings
    • present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal
    Extra Examples
    • The value of data depends on our skill in drawing inferences from it.
    • inferences based on their answers to a number of set questions
    • There are certain inferences we can draw about the origins of language.
    • What inferences can we draw from this data?
    Topics Opinion and argumentb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fair
    • logical
    • reasonable
    verb + inference
    • draw
    • make
    • allow
    inference + verb
    • be based on something
    preposition
    • inference about
    • inference from
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable] the act or process of forming an opinion, based on what you already know
    • by inference He hid vital information from the press and, by inference, from the people (= it is logical to say so, from the same evidence).
    Topics Opinion and argumentb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fair
    • logical
    • reasonable
    verb + inference
    • draw
    • make
    • allow
    inference + verb
    • be based on something
    preposition
    • inference about
    • inference from
    See full entry
  3. Word Originlate 16th cent.: from medieval Latin inferentia, from inferent- ‘bringing in’, from the verb inferre ‘bring in, bring about’ (in medieval Latin ‘deduce’), from in- ‘into’ + ferre ‘bring’.
See inference in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee inference in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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